SB457 Summary

• Applies to individual court reporters and entities providing court reporting services in Alabama, requiring both to follow the same rules and regulations.

• Prohibits court reporters and reporting entities from accepting assignments if they have contractual relationships with parties, attorneys, insurers, or financial interests in the case; requires reasonable efforts to verify no prohibited arrangements exist before accepting work.

• Forbids court reporters from entering multi-case contracts with attorneys or parties, giving unequal advantages to any party, basing compensation on case outcomes, restricting attorney choice of reporter, joining preferred provider lists with preset terms, or releasing transcript control before delivery.

• Imposes penalties for violations including voiding transcripts and making them inadmissible; first offense fines of at least $1,500, with subsequent violations subject to additional fines of up to $2,500 each, enforced by the Alabama Board of Court Reporting.

• Takes effect on the first day of the third month following passage and approval, with an exception allowing governmental entities to obtain court reporting services through competitive bidding if required by law.